Single Cover Passive Mattress Spinner

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for facilitating maneuvering of a mattress with respect to a foundation. Systems may include two separate covers; a single cover; a single cover in combination with a surface embedded in the mattress or foundation; or embedded surfaces in the mattress and the foundation. One or more of the covers may include a slick surface, and one or more of the embedded surfaces may be a slick surface, to facilitate maneuvering of the mattress.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/791,723, filed Oct. 24, 2017, which is a division of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/789,127, filed on Jul. 1, 2015, which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,427,filed Sep. 27, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/772,386, filed on May 3, 2010, the disclosuresof each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for facilitating maneuvering amattress in a horizontal plane with respect to a foundation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional bed includes a foundation, such as a box spring, platformor bottom mattress, and a top mattress. For example, box spring isnormally supported by a bed frame and, in turn, carries a top mattress,which ends up being suspended about 13-16 inches from the floor. The topmattress (hereinafter “mattress”) may be placed on top of the box springor alternatively placed upon any other type of foundation. The mattressis held in place by friction and its weight.

Various types of mattresses are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.7,617,556 and 7,644,671 disclose conventional mattresses. Suchconventional mattresses include a “casing” which is formed from materialfor holding the internal components of the mattress. The casing includesa bottom panel and four (4) vertical panels connected to the peripheryof the bottom panel forming an open top container. In one suchconventional mattress, a spring core is disposed in the container andrests against the bottom floor and fits snugly against the verticalpanels. One or more layers of foam padding is placed on top of thespring core and covered with a top cover which is secured to thevertical panels.

In other known mattresses, a foam core is used in place of the springcore. Other known mattresses are known to include a so-called“pillow-top”. The pillow top is generally formed as a comforter securedto the top cover and filled with cotton or some type of fibrousmaterial.

A problem with the various types of mattresses, as discussed above, isthat over time the mattress materials lose their resiliency causing bodydepressions to develop. In order to even out the wear in the mattress,it is known to rotate the mattress in the horizontal plane to relocatethe body depressions, as shown for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. Dependingon the size of the mattress, one or two people may be required to rotatethe mattress. For example, king and queen size mattresses may likelyrequire two people to rotate the mattress, as shown in FIG. 1, whilefull and twin size mattresses can likely be rotated by a single person,as shown in FIG. 2.

Mattresses are relatively heavy items. The weight of a mattress variesas a function of the coil core, the gauge of the coil and the type offoam material used. An average king size mattress weighs between 85 and115 pounds. High end king size mattresses with latex or memory foam canweigh as much as 300 pounds.

In order to rotate a mattress, the mattress must first be lifted andthen rotated, as such, rotating a mattress is hard work. Depending onthe weight of the mattress, rotating a mattress can be virtuallyimpossible for some people, such as senior citizens, as well as peoplethat are handicapped or disabled and others.

In order to address this problem, mattresses with removable pillow topshave been developed. An example of such a mattress is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,414,882. The '882 patent discloses a mattress with a pillowtop that is secured to the top cover of the mattress by way of a zipper.With such a configuration, the pillow top can be relatively easilyrotated by unzipping the pillow top, rotating it and zipping the pillowtop back in place. While such a configuration enables body depressionsin the pillow top to be relocated, it has no effect on body depressionsthat result in the mattress itself. Thus there is a need for a system tofacilitate rotation of a mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to a system for facilitatingmaneuvering of a mattress, such as rotation of the mattress in ahorizontal plane with respect to a foundation, such as a box spring or afixed or adjustable base or platform (hereinafter individually orcollectively referred to as a “foundation”). In order to facilitaterotation, a cover is provided having a slick surface on one side and anon-slick surface on an opposing side. As used herein, a slick surfaceis a surface that has a lower coefficient of friction as compared to anon-slick surface.

In one embodiment, a cover is provided that can be used to facilitatemaneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation. The cover includesa horizontal panel formed from one or more layers of material. Thehorizontal panel has a first side and an opposing side, the first sideincluding a slick surface, The horizontal panel is configured to bedisposed between an underside of the mattress and a top side of thefoundation. The cover also includes an attachment device for securingthe horizontal panel relative to the mattress or alternatively to thefoundation. In a first mode of operation the attachment device securesthe horizontal panel relative to one of the underside of the mattress orthe top side of the foundation, and in a second mode of operation, theattachment device secures the horizontal panel to another of theunderside of the mattress or the top side of the foundation tofacilitate maneuvering of the mattress with respect to the foundation.

In another embodiment, a cover is provided that can be used tofacilitate maneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation, wherethe foundation is covered by a bed skirt. The cover includes ahorizontal panel formed from one or more layers of material. Thehorizontal panel has a first side and an opposing side, the first sideincluding a slick surface. The horizontal panel is configured to bedisposed between an underside of the mattress and a top side of the bedskirt covering the foundation so that the first side of the horizontalpanel is in contact with an underside of the mattress. The cover alsoincludes an attachment device for securing the horizontal panel relativeto the mattress or alternatively to the bed skirt and the foundation. Ina first mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontalpanel relative to the underside of the mattress and in a second mode ofoperation, the attachment device secures the horizontal panel and thebed skirt to the foundation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration anddescription, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a partof the specification.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specification and attacheddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing illustrating two people lifting amattress carried by a foundation in an attempt to rotate the mattress ina horizontal plane in a conventional manner.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a two-cover embodiment illustrating oneperson rotating a mattress in accordance with the present invention,shown with the mattress carried by a foundation and also shown with themattress partially rotated.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the inventionillustrating a conventional foundation and a conventional mattress andtwo covers in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 illustrating one of the covers shown in FIG.3 installed on the mattress and one cover installed on the foundation,

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 3, partially in section, illustrating one of the coversinstalled on the mattress and one cover installed on the foundation andshown in a rotate configuration in which the slick surfaces of the twocovers are in contact with each other, securing the bed skirt intoposition prior to rotating.

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an application of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the bottom cover is to be placed overa bed skirt to secure the bed skirt with respect to the sides of thefoundation.

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 6, shown with one of the covers installed on the mattress andthe other cover installed over the bed skirt on the foundationillustrating a rotate configuration in which both slick surfaces are incontact with each other while the bed skirt is held in place.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but shown with both covers installed on themattress, illustrating a normal configuration in which a non-slicksurface of the bottom cover is in contact with the surface of the bedskirt.

FIG. 9 is an alternative application of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 6-8 in which the bed skirt is used to hide both covers in a normalconfiguration, shown in a rotation configuration.

FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view of the application illustrated inFIG. 9 in a normal configuration in which the bed skirt is pulled downover the foundation hiding both of the covers.

FIG. 11 is a partial elevational view of the box spring illustrated inFIG. 10, partially in section, shown in a normal configuration.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the two-cover embodiment illustratingone person rotating a mattress in accordance with the present inventionshown with the mattress carried by a platform and also shown with themattress partially rotated.

FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the invention in which slicksurfaces are integrated into the mattress and box spring, shown with themattress removed from the box spring and fastener strips integrated intothe corners of the mattress and foundation.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 but shown with the mattress placed on thefoundation illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned with oneanother.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, illustrating cooperating removablefastener strips attached to the integrated fastener strips in order tosecure the mattress to the foundation.

FIG. 16 is a partial elevational view illustrating one corner of amattress disposed on a foundation illustrating integrated fastenerstrips aligned on each corner of the foundation and mattress, shown witha cooperating removable fastener strip removed.

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 but shown with the cooperating removablefastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on themattress and foundation.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an alternative fastener configurationfor securing a mattress to a foundation, illustrating a mattressdisposed on the foundation in which the integrated fastener is disposedaround the periphery of the foundation and the mattress.

FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18 but shown with a cooperating removablefastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on themattress and the foundation.

FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating a bed skirt whichincorporates a removable fastening strip attached to the integratedfastening strips on the mattress and foundation.

FIG. 21 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a two cover embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the mattress cover is a protectivecover having at least one slick surface, shown with the protective coverremoved from the mattress and the mattress suspended relative to thefoundation.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 but shown with the protective coverinstalled on the mattress.

FIG. 23a is a partial isometric view of a material blank for use as acover with the present invention, shown with fold lines on adjacentedges and an obtuse angle cutout at one corner.

FIG. 23b is similar to FIG. 23a but illustrating an elastic materialjoining the strips defined by the fold lines and bridging the cutout.

FIG. 24a is similar to FIG. 24a but illustrates a cutout at other thanan obtuse angle.

FIG. 24b illustrates the material blank illustrated in FIG. 24a with anintegrated fastener strip on the strips defined by the fold lines shownwith a cooperating removable fastener strip partially attached to theintegrated fastener strip.

FIG. 24c is similar to FIG. 24b but shown with the cooperating removablefastener strip completely attached to the integrated fastener strip.

FIG. 25 is an isometric drawing illustrating an embodiment of theinvention over a platform utilizing a single cover, shown with onecorner turned up.

FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 25 shown with the cover fully attached to theplatform illustrating a maneuvering mode of operation.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate rotation of a mattress in accordance with thepresent invention relative to the platform with the cover illustrated inFIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is an isometric drawing of a mattress on a fixed or adjustableplatform with a single cover in which the cover, illustrated in FIG. 26is partially turned up and attached to the mattress.

FIG. 30 is similar to FIG. 29 but illustrating the cover fully attachedto the mattress illustrating a normal mode of operation.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of an adjustable platform, shown in a flatsleeping position.

FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31 but shown with a single cover inaccordance with the present invention attached to the adjustableplatform.

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a one-cover embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 32 which illustrates rotation of a mattress in accordance with thepresent invention relative to the adjustable platform.

FIG. 34 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a single coverformed from multiple plies illustrating a slick surface that covers aportion on one side of the cover and is at least partially surrounded bya non-slick surface. In accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35a is a section view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 34, shownwith the side panels folded up for attachment to an underside of amattress.

FIG. 35b is similar to FIG. 35a but shown with the side panels foldeddown for attachment to a foundation.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of a single coverformed from multiple plies illustrating a non-slick surface that coversa portion of one side of the cover and is at least surrounded by a slicksurface in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 37a is a section view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 36, shownwith the side panels folded up for attachment to an underside of amattress.

FIG. 37b is similar to FIG. 37a a but shown with the side panels foldeddown for attachment to a foundation.

FIG. 38 is a partial sectional view of bonded multiple ply material usedas a cover.

FIG. 39 is a partial sectional view of a cover formed from multipleplies material tacked together at one or more tack points so that themultiple plies function as a single piece of material.

FIG. 40 is an elevational view of a mattress supported by a foundationshown with a cover as illustrated in FIGS. 34-37 b disposedtherebetween, shown in with the side panels folded up for attachment tothe sides of the mattress in a maneuvering mode of operation.

FIG. 41 is similar to FIG. 40 but shown with the side panels folded downfor attachment to the sides of a foundation in a normal mode ofoperation.

FIG. 42 illustrates a portion of a horizontal panel of the presenttechnology including at two layers of material.

FIG. 43 illustrates the portion of a horizontal panel of FIG. 42, withan attachment point attaching the two layers of material.

FIG. 44 illustrates one example of a cover of the present technologyhaving a horizontal panel that includes two layers of material, in afirst mode of operation.

FIG. 45 illustrates the cover of FIG. 44 in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 46 illustrates another example of a cover of the present technologyhaving a horizontal panel that includes two layers of material, in afirst mode of operation.

FIG. 47 illustrates the cover of FIG. 46 in a second mode of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to mattress maneuvering systems forfacilitating maneuvering of a mattress with respect to a foundation,such as rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane with respect to thefoundation or sliding a mattress off of the mattress foundation for thepurposes of removing and re-installing a fresh bedskirt. Variousembodiments of the invention are described and illustrated. In allembodiments, surfaces between the mattress and the foundation areselectively placed in engagement with each other. The surfaces may beprovided by a single cover or two separate covers. Alternatively, someembodiments have no covers, i.e. coverless embodiments, and instead haveembedded surfaces in the mattress and/or the foundation. In coverlessembodiments, the mattress and the foundation may be secured together ina first, normal mode of operation to prevent unintended movement of themattress.

Single Cover Embodiments

There are multiple embodiments of the single cover mattress maneuveringsystem. Single covers may be used to facilitate maneuvering of amattress, such as rotation of the mattress in a horizontal plane withrespect to a foundation. In one embodiment, a slick surface is embeddedin a top surface of the foundation. In other embodiments, the relativelyhigher coefficient of friction of the surface of either the underside ofthe mattress or a top surface of the foundation may provide resistanceto mattress movement.

Embedded Slick Surface

In addition to the embodiments discussed below which require two covers,alternate embodiments are discussed below which require only one cover.For example, one of the covers 20, 22 (FIGS. 3-11) may be eliminated,and a slick surface may be embedded into a top surface of thefoundation, or an underside of the mattress. In one exemplaryembodiment, the foundation includes an integral or embedded slicksurface facing upwardly and that is configured to be in contact with anunderside of the mattress. In an embodiment in which the slick surfaceis embedded in a top surface of the foundation, a single cover 20, asdescribed below, may be attached to the underside of the mattress suchthat the slick surface faces downwardly and the non-slick surface of thecover is in contact with the underside of the mattress. In a maneuveringmode of operation, the slick surface of the cover 20 is in contact withthe slick surface integrally formed in the top surface of thefoundation. Once the mattress is rotated and in the desired location,the cover 20 is attached to the foundation so that the two slicksurfaces are in contact with each other and the non-slick surface is incontact with underside of the mattress defining a normal mode ofoperation. Alternatively, the slick surface can be embedded intomattress.

Alternative Single Cover Embodiment

In some embodiments, a single cover can be used with either two (2)slick sides or one slick side and one non-slick side. In such anembodiment, the inherent surface coefficient of friction and friction ofeither the underside of the mattress 28 or a top side of the foundationmay provide resistance to movement. In an embodiment with a cover havingtwo slick surfaces, the cover is attached to either the underside of themattress 28 or a top side of the foundation and remains in place duringboth a maneuvering mode and a normal mode. Additional means, asdiscussed below, are provided to secure the mattress with respect to thebox spring or mattress to prevent unintended movement of the mattress.

An alternative embodiment having a single cover utilizes a cover havinga slick side and a non-slick side, the cover is attached to either anunderside of the mattress or a top side of the foundation. In thisembodiment, the inherent surface coefficient of friction of either theunderside mattress or a top side of the foundation may provideresistance to movement. For example, in a first. normal mode ofoperation, the cover may be attached to an underside of the mattress sothat its non-slick side faces outwardly and contacts the top surface ofthe foundation to prevent unintended movement of the mattress withrespect to the foundation. In a second, maneuvering mode of operation,the cover is attached to a top side of the foundation so that the slicksurface is in contact with the underside mattress and the non-slick sideis in contact with a top side of the foundation. The mattress is rotatedand the cover is re-attached to the mattress.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below andillustrated in FIGS. 25-33. FIGS. 25-30 illustrate an embodiment of theinvention on a fixed platform. FIGS. 31-33 illustrate an embodiment ofthe invention on an adjustable platform.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cover, generally identified withthe reference numeral 100, includes a horizontal panel 102, which may berectangular, substantially rectangular, or another shape. An attachmentdevice may be used to attach the horizontal panel 102 to the sides of afoundation 106 or mattress 112. The attachment device may be implementedas a side panel 104, as discussed below, or various other means, alsodiscussed below and virtually any means for removably attaching thehorizontal panel 102 of the cover 100 with respect to the sides of thefoundation 106 or mattress 112. The horizontal panel 102 of the cover100 is formed to fit the foundation, such as a fixed platform 106 or anadjustable platform 108 (FIG. 31).

Various embodiments of horizontal panel 102 and the side panel 104 forboth the single cover and two cover embodiments. For example, the sidepanels 104 can be formed from a continuous piece of material andattached to at least a portion of the periphery of the horizontal panelpotion 102. Alternatively, the side panels 104 can be discontinuous andformed from multiple pieces of material and attached to at least aportion of the periphery of the horizontal panel 102.

In addition, one or more side panels 104 can at least be partiallyformed from the horizontal panel 102. In other words, the horizontalpanel 102 may be sized to cover the underside of a mattress 112 (FIG.27) and one or more side panels 104. The horizontal panel 102 and one ormore of the side panels 104 may be formed from the same or differentmaterials including conventional bedding fabrics and conventionaldecorative bedding fabrics. Both the horizontal panel 102 and the sidepanels 104 may be formed from one or more any stretchable ornon-stretchable fabric.

In embodiments in which the side panel potion(s) 104 are formedseparately from the horizontal panels 102, the side panels 104 may beattached to the horizontal panel 102 by various conventional methods,such as stitching, bonding, heat sealing, sonic welding. Moreover, sidepanels 104 can be attached to the periphery of the horizontal panel 102to form a single ply cover as illustrated, for example in FIG. 3 or amultiple ply cover as illustrated in FIGS. 35,35 a, 35 b, 36, 36A and36B in which a portion of the side panels 209 overlap the horizontalpanel forming a multiple ply portion. In one embodiment, the side panel104 may be continuous around the periphery of the horizontal panel 102.In that exemplary embodiment shown, at least a portion of the horizontalpanel 102 or the entire horizontal panel 102 may be formed to include aslick surface 109 formed on at least a portion of one side 109 and maybe formed to include a non-slick surface on at least a portion or theopposing side 111.

The horizontal panel 102 of the cover 100 may be formed from a 70Dx70D7210 nylon ripstop material or other material with similar non-elasticproperties. The size of the horizontal panel 102 may be selected to bethe same size as the horizontal portion 111 of the platform 106.

At least a portion of one side of the horizontal panel 102 may be coatedto form a slick surface 109. The slick side surface 109 may be providedby way of various coatings including a silicone coating or other coatingproviding a similar co-efficient of friction. The coating is optional onthe side 109. The inherent surface roughness of the material may be usedalone as the side 109. At least a portion of the other side of thehorizontal panel 102 may be formed with a non-slick surface 110. Thenon-slick surface 110 may be provided by various coatings including apolyurethane coating or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating or othercoating having a similar co-efficient of friction. Alternatively, one ormore materials which inherently have a slick side and a non-slick sidemay be used without any coatings.

As mentioned above, the side panel 104 may be formed from various anystretchable or non-stretchable fabric. For example, the side panel 104may be formed from elastic materials including 90 gram, 2-way stretch100% polyester material, otherwise known as Jersey Knit or othermaterials having similar elasticity properties. One side of the sidepanel 104 may optionally be coated with a non-slick coating, such as 1-2mil of polyurethane or PVC. The optional coating is applied to a sidethat will be in contact with the mattress platform 106.

The side panel 104 is attached around at least a portion of theperimeter periphery of the horizontal panel 102 in order to attach thehorizontal panel 102 to the sides of the foundation, for example, theplatform 106 or 108 (FIG. 31) as shown. In certain embodiments, the sidepanel 104 may be formed with a width generally equal to at least aportion of the width of the vertical portions forming the foundation,for example, the platform 106 or 108 (FIG. 31).

The function of the side panel 104 is to hold the horizontal panel 102in place during normal and maneuvering modes of operation of themattress 112 when the side panels 104 are disposed adjacent to the sidesof the mattress 112 or alternatively disposed adjacent the sides of thefoundation. In one embodiment, the side panels 104 may be formed from astretchable material, such as elastic. In such an embodiment, the sidepanel potions 104 exert a compression force against the sides of themattress 112 or alternatively exert a compression force against thesides of the foundation to hold the horizontal panel 102 in place. Othermeans can be used to hold the horizontal panel 102 in place relative tothe foundation or alternatively with respect to the sides of themattress. For example, various fasteners including Velcro fasteners,snaps, buttons and the like can be used. Also, straps can be used. Allsuch devices are considered to be within the broad scope of theinvention.

Single Ply Cover

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 25-32, a single cover 100 isillustrated, which may be made from a single ply or multiple plies. Thehorizontal panel 204 and the side panels 209 are each a “ply,” as theterm is used herein. A single ply refers to embodiments in which theside panels 209 and the horizontal panel 204 are connected in a mannerthat they do not substantially overlap, such as in embodiments where theside panels 104 are be continuous around the periphery of the horizontalpanel 102. In general, the cover 100 includes a slick surface 109 on atleast a portion of one side of the horizontal panel 102 and a non-slicksurface 110 on at least a portion of an opposing side of the horizontalpanel 102. Each side 109,110 may be formed such that the entire side109,110 is formed with a slick surface or a non-slick surface.

It should be understood that the horizontal panel 204 and the sidepanels 209 may each be made of one or more layers of material. The oneor more layers of material may be connected, at their peripheries and/orwithin their peripheries, so that they function as a single sheet ofmaterial. In some examples, a cover of the present technology, such ascover 100, may have at least one ply that is formed from one or morelayers of material. For example, the horizontal panel 204 may be made ofat least two layers of material. In some such examples, the first side109 is part of one layer of material and the opposing side 110 is partof a second layer of material.

Multiple Ply Covers

Two different embodiments of multiple ply covers, for example, asillustrated in the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 34-37 b. The terms“multiple ply” and “multiple plies” as used herein refer to a cover inwhich there is partial overlapping of the side panels 209 with respectto the horizontal panel 204. These multiple ply embodiments can be usedin any of the single cover and two cover mattress rotator systemsdiscussed herein.

Referring first to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 35a and 35b , thisembodiment illustrates that at least a portion of the cover 200 isformed from two (2) or more plies of material. In particular, the cover200 includes a generally horizontal panel 204 and one or more sidepanels 209. As best shown in FIGS. 35a and 35b , the horizontal panel204 and the side panels 209 are formed from separate pieces of material.FIGS. 35a and 35b illustrate that a portion of the side panels 209overlaps the horizontal panel 204 forming a multiple ply in a portion ofthe cover 200. FIG. 34 illustrates one side of the multiple ply cover200. As shown best in FIGS. 35a and 35b , the side panels 209 overlap aportion of the horizontal panel 204. In the exemplary embodiment shownin FIGS. 34, 35 a and 35 b, one side 205 of the horizontal panel 204,i.e., the side with no overlap of the side panels 209 is formed with aslick surface. An opposing side 203 of the horizontal panel 204 isformed with a non-slick or slick surface. Both sides of the side panels209 may be formed with non-slick surfaces. The non-slick and slicksurfaces can be formed with or without a coating.

As shown in FIGS. 35a -37 b, the side panels 209 extend and overlap thehorizontal panel 208. In such examples, the extended portion of the sidepanels 209 would be under the mattress, instead of being along a side ofthe mattress. In alternative examples, the horizontal panel may extendto overlap the side panels. One such an example is shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 34 best illustrates an exemplary method for securing the sidepanels 209 to the horizontal panel 204. As shown, the overlappingportions of the side panels 209 may be stitched to the horizontal panel204 by way of one or more stitch patterns. For example, two stitchpatterns are shown. Other stitch patterns as well as other means forattachment are contemplated. For example, the side panels 209 may beattached to the horizontal panel 204 by way of being bonded, heatsealed, sonic welded, fastened, woven as well as any other conventionalmethod for joining two pieces of material. For example, FIG. 38illustrates an embodiment in which the overlapping portion of the sidepanel 214 is bonded to the horizontal panel 208. FIG. 39 illustratesanother embodiment in which the overlapping portion of the side panel214 is tacked to the horizontal panel 208 at one or more tack points215. In an exemplary alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 36, thecover, generally identified with the reference numeral 208′, includes anexemplary location for the non-slick portion. In particular, thenon-slick portion, identified with the reference numeral 210, isdisposed away from the edges of a rectangular panel, generallyidentified with the reference numeral 212 (FIG. 37). Although agenerally rectangular shape is shown for the non-slick surface 210,other shapes are contemplated to be within the broad scope of theinvention.

As shown in FIGS. 35a 35b , the entire surface of one side of the cover200, generally identified as a horizontal panel 207, sized to cover amattress, a box spring or a platform is attached or integrally formedwith a side panel 209. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 37a and 37b , theentire surface of one side of the cover 208′, namely the rectangularpanel 212 may be sized to cover a mattress, a box spring or a platformand attached or integrally formed with a side panel 214.

Various embodiments of the side panels 209, 214 are contemplated. Forexample, the side panel 209 (FIG. 35a ) and the side panel 214 (FIG. 37a) may be made from a stretchable or non-stretchable material. The sidepanel 214 may also be formed from the same or different material as thehorizontal panel and may be made from any of the materials describedherein. Alternatively, the side panels 214 can be made from decorativematerial, for example, material that blends with the material used bythe mattress factory to encase the mattress. All such embodiments arecontemplated.

In addition, the side panels 209, 214 may be disposed around the entireperiphery of the rectangular panels 207, 212 or a portion of it. Theside panels 209, 214 may also be formed from the same material as therectangular panels 207, 212, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 23a-24 c, and described below. In addition, the side panels 209, 214 may beformed with continuously connected corners, for example, as shown inFIG. 25, or alternatively formed with open corners 25 as shown FIG. 23aand FIG. 24a . The open corners may be secured together by variousconventional fastener methods, such as elastic strips 27 (FIG. 23b ) oralternatively virtually any other fastener system, such as a Velcro®fastener strip system 29 and 31. Other types of methods are contemplatedfor securing the corners 25 and 25′, such as loop and button systems andzippers, (not shown).

The corners 25 and 25′ can also be sewn together. In this embodiment,the weight of the mattress in conjunction frictional forces between thenon-slick surfaces on the cover relative to the inherent surfacefriction of the box spring or platform may be used to maintain the coverin place while the mattress is being rotated relative to the box springor platform. In yet another embodiment, a draw string (not shown), asdiscussed below, may be provided along the bottom edge of the side wall209 to secure the cover 200 relative to the mattress, box spring orplatform.

Various other embodiments of the side panels 209 are contemplated. Theside panels 209 can be formed from as an elastic band, as discussedbelow. Alternatively, the side panels 209 can be eliminated altogether.In such an embodiment, the rectangular panel 207 is attached directly tothe mattress, box spring or platform by an appropriate fastener system,such as loop and button system, a zipper system or a Velcro fastenersystem. All such embodiments are considered to be within the broad scopeof the invention.

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate the different modes of operation of thecovers illustrated in FIGS. 34-37. FIG. 40 illustrates a maneuveringmode of operation. In this mode of operation, the cover 200,208 isattached to the box spring or platform 220. In this position, the slicksurface 205, 212 will be in contact with the underside of a mattress222. The non-slick surfaces will be in contact with a top surface of thebox spring or platform 220. The mattress 222 is then rotated 180degrees, for example, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

Once the mattress 222 is maneuvered in place, the cover 200, 208 isreturned to a normal position as illustrated in FIG. 41. In thisposition, the cover 200,208 is attached to the underside of the mattress220. In this position, the slick side 207, 212 of the cover 200, 208 isin contact with the mattress 222 and the side with the non-slickportions 201,210 is in contact with a top surface of the box spring ormattress 220.

Mattress Maneuverings shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in a maneuvering mode ofoperation, the cover 102 is attached to the platform 106 so that thenon-slick surface 110 of the cover 102 is in contact with the horizontalportion 111 of the platform 106 defining a maneuvering mode ofoperation. If an optional coating, as discussed above, is applied to theside portion 104 of the cover 102, the optional coating (not shown) willbe in contact with the vertical rails of the platform 106.

Referring to FIGS. 27-30, operation of the single cover embodiment isillustrated. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate a maneuvering mode of operation.In a maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 102 is attached to theplatform 106 or 108 (FIG. 31). As mentioned above, in this mode ofoperation, the slick side 109 of the cover 100 is in contact with theunderside of the mattress 112. As such, a user can rotate the mattressrelatively effortlessly, as indicated by the arrow 113.

FIG. 28 illustrates the mattress 112 in place after rotation. After themattress 112 is in place, the sides 104 of the cover 100 are attached tothe mattress 112, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, illustrating a normalmode of operation.

Adjustable Platform

FIGS. 31-33 illustrate the application of the single cover embodiment toa bed with an adjustable platform 108 (FIG. 31). An exemplary platform108 is illustrated in FIG. 31. The adjustable platform 108 includes aplurality of sections 114, 116, 118 and 120 which are movable about thevarious axes 122, 124 and 126. Various mechanical drives (not shown) arelocated beneath the platform 108 that enable the various sections to beadjusted by way of a controller (not shown). FIG. 31 illustrates theadjustable platform 108 in a sleep position in which all of theadjustable sections 114, 116, 118 and 120 are flat defining a sleepposition.

The cover 100 functions on an adjustable platform 108 in the same manneras a fixed platform 106 (FIG. 25). In particular, the cover 100 isattached to the adjustable platform 109 with the adjustable platform ina sleep position. In a maneuvering mode of operation, as generallyillustrated in FIG. 32, the cover 100 is attached so that the suck side109 faces upwardly and contacts the underside of the mattress 112. Themattress 112 is rotated, for example, in the direction of the arrow 114,relatively easily. Once the mattress 112 is in position, as shown inFIG. 30, the cover 100 is attached to the mattress 112, as shown inFIGS. 29 and 30 defining a normal mode of operation.

Two Cover Embodiment

In a two cover embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.3-11, the slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; onecover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. Onecover is provided with a slick and non-slick side. The other cover isprovided with at least one slick side and may have two slick sides. Inan alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, one cover may be aprotective cover that encapsulates the entire mattress and permanentlyexposes a slick surface relative to the box spring or platform. Inanother alternate embodiment, one cover may be provided that cooperateswith a slick surface that is integrally provided on one or the other ofthe mattress or box spring or platform. In yet another alternateembodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 12-20, slick surfaces maybe provided on both the mattress and the box spring or platform. In thisembodiment, in order to prevent movement of the mattress with respect tothe box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the boxspring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-11 and 21-22 two (2) coversare provided which enable slick surfaces between the mattress and thebox spring or platform to be selectively placed in contact with eachother to reduce the normal friction therebetween to enable the mattressto be rotated in a horizontal plane without lifting the mattress.Alternate embodiments operate on the same principle but require only oneseparate cover that cooperates with a slick surface integrated into oneor the other of the mattress or box spring or mattress. In yet otherembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, the slicksurfaces on the mattress and box spring or platform are constantly inengagement with each other when the mattress is placed on top of the boxspring or platform. In these embodiments, one or more fasteners are usedto secure the mattress to the box spring or platform to preventunintended movement therebetween in a normal mode of operation.

Referring first to FIGS. 3-5, the invention comprises a first cover 20and a second cover 22. The covers 20 and 22 each include a horizontalpanel 24 and 26, respectively, configured to the size of a mattress 28and a box spring 30. Each of the covers 20, 22 includes a side panel 32,34, attached to at least a portion of the periphery of the panels 24, 26respectively. The bands 32, 34, allow the covers 20, 22 be removablysecured to the mattress 28 and the box spring 30, as generally shown inFIG. 4.

The side panels 32, 34 as well as the horizontal panels 24, 26 may beformed from stretchable or non-stretchable material. For example, anelastic material, for example, spandex and other stretchable materials,such as mesh or an elastic band can be used and attached to thehorizontal panels 24, 26 respectively, for example, by sewing.Alternatively, the side panels 32, 34 can be formed from a mesh orstretchable fabric. The side panels 32, 34 can be formed from the samematerial or different material as the horizontal panels 24, 26 andsecured to the mattress 28 and box spring or platform 30 by way of adrawstring (not shown) or other attachment method.

The side panels 32 and 34 may be formed as a continuous side panel ormultiple separate side panels. These side panels 32 and 34 can be formedfrom the same or different material as the horizontal panels 24 and 26and can be at least partially formed by the horizontal panels 24 and 26.In addition, side panels 32 and 34 may also be formed by lesslabor-intensive methods, as illustrated in FIGS. 23a-23b and FIGS. 24a-24 c. The methods illustrated in these figures, reduce the amount ofsewing and thus the labor involved. For simplicity, only one cover 20 isdescribed and illustrated. Referring first to FIGS. 23a and 23b , onecorner of a cover blank, generally identified with the reference numeral21, is illustrated for simplicity. The cover blank may be formed as agenerally rectangular piece of material with fold lines, generallyidentified with the reference numeral 23, adjacent to each edge of therectangular piece of material. As shown in FIG. 23a , a piece ofmaterial is cut out of each corner defining, for example, an obtuseangle. The cutout is identified with the reference numeral 25. The bands32′ are folded down as shown in FIG. 23b . A piece of flexible material,such as elastic, identified with the reference number 27, is used tobridge the cutout 25. The flexible material 27 is secured to the ends ofthe contiguous bands 32′. As will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 23a and 23bsignificantly reduces the labor costs.

A second technique to reduce labor costs is illustrated in FIGS. 24a-24c. In this embodiment, the corners of the material blank 21′ are cut toform a cutout 25′ that is not an obtuse angle. The exemplary cutout 25′is shown at roughly a 90° angle. In this embodiment, a fastener strip 29is affixed to each end of the band 32″, adjacent the cutout 25′. Acooperating removable fastener strip 31 may be attached to the fastenerstrips 29 to secure the adjacent bands 32″ together. The fastener strips29 and 31 may be Velcro or other type of fastener. The embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 24a-24c allows the material blank 21′ to bejuxtaposed over the mattress 28 or box spring 30 with the removablefastener strips 31, as least partially removed, for example, as shown inFIG. 24b , and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener strip 29,once the cover 20 is in place, as shown in FIG. 24 c.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, one cover 20,22 has a “slick” side having a relatively low co-efficient of frictionand a non-slick side having a relatively higher co-efficient offriction. The other cover 20, 22 has at least one slick side and mayhave two slick sides. As such, when the slick surfaces of the two covers20, 22 are selectively placed in contact with each other, the mattress28 can be rotated in a horizontal plane with minimal effort by oneperson in a configuration defining a maneuvering mode of operation, asdiscussed in more detail below. The non-slick side is used toselectively be placed in contact with an uncovered surface of themattress 28 or an uncovered surface of the box spring 30 or platform orbed skirt. The non-slick side provides a relatively high co-efficient offriction when in contact with either an uncovered surface of the boxspring 30 or an uncovered surface of the mattress 28 or bed skirt (FIG.6) or platform (FIG. 12) in order to reduce if not prevent unintendedrotation of the mattress in a normal configuration.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first cover 20 is attached to the undersidemattress 28 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the mattress28 and its slick side is facing downwardly. Similarly, the cover 22 isattached to the box spring 30 so that its non-slick side is in contactwith the box spring 30 and its slick side is facing upwardly.Alternatively, the covers 20, 22 may be provided with two slick sides Insuch an embodiment, one slick side is in contact with the mattress 28,box spring 30, respectively, and the other slick side is facingdownwardly or upwardly, respectively.

When the mattress 28 is then brought into contact with the box spring30, as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, the slick sides of the covers 20and 22 will be in contact with each other, enabling the mattress 28 tobe rotated in a horizontal position with reduced effort by a singleperson defining a maneuvering mode of operation.

Once the mattress 28 has been rotated and is in the desired position,the top cover 20 may be detached from the mattress 28 and attached tothe box spring 30 over the cover 22. This places the non-slick side ofthe cover 20 in contact with an uncovered surface of the mattress 28,thereby reducing unintended rotation of the mattress 28 with respect tothe box spring 30. In this configuration, both covers 20 and 22 areattached to the box spring 30. Alternatively, in embodiments in whicheach of the covers has a slick side and a non-slick side, once themattress 28 is in the desired position, the bottom cover 22 can bedetached from the box spring 30 and attached to the mattress 28 over thecover 20, exposing the non-slick side of the cover 22 to the box spring30. In this configuration, both covers 20 and 22 are attached to themattress 30.

Two Cover Bed Skirt Application

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate operation of the covers 20 and 22 in an applicationin which a bed skirt 36 is draped over the box spring 30, as generallyshown in FIG. 6. Heretofore rotation of a mattress 28 with a bed skirt36 draped over the box spring 30 was a relatively cumbersome task. Thepresent invention greatly simplifies rotation of the mattress 28 in suchan application while keeping the bed skirt 36 in place.

More specifically, in this application, the first cover 20 is attachedto the underside of the mattress 28 so that its slick side is facingdownward and its non-slick side (or alternatively its second slick side)is in contact with the mattress 28. The second cover 22 is attached tothe box spring 30 over the bed skirt 36 so that its non-slick side is incontact with the bed skirt 36 and its slick side is facing upward,thereby placing the slick sides of the covers 20 and 22 in contact witheach other, as shown in FIG. 7. The mattress 28 can then be rotated withreduced effort, as generally illustrated in FIG. 12.

After the mattress 28 is rotated to the desired position, the cover 22is detached from the box spring 30 and attached to the mattress 28 overthe cover 20, as shown in FIG. 8. This places the non-slick side of thecover 22 in contact with the bed skirt 36 to reduce if not preventunintended rotation of the mattress 28. As shown in FIG. 8, the bedskirt 36 is uncovered and undisturbed since the cover 22 holds the bedskirt 36 in place during the rotation of the mattress 28.

FIGS. 9-11 are similar to FIGS. 6-8 and illustrate another applicationin which the bed skirt is used to hide the first and second covers 20and 22 in a normal configuration. Referring to FIG. 9, the bed skirt 36is disposed around the mattress 28 so that its finished side is incontact with the mattress 28 and its unfinished side is facingoutwardly. The first cover 20 is attached to the mattress 28 over thebed skirt 36 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt36 and its slick side is facing downwardly. The second cover 22 isattached to the box spring 30 so that its non-slick side is in contactwith the box spring 30 and its slick side is facing upwardly, thusplacing the slick sides of the first and second covers 20 and 22 incontact with each other. The mattress 28 can then be rotated in ahorizontal plane virtually effortlessly by one person. Once the mattress28 is in the desired position, the first cover 20 is detached from themattress 28 and attached to the box spring 30, over the second cover 22,as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This places the non-slick side of the firstcover 20 in contact with the mattress 28, thereby reducing unintendedrotation of the mattress 28. Once the first cover 20 is attached to thebox spring 30, the bed skirt 36 is folded down over the box spring 30,thereby hiding both the first and second covers 20 and 22, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11.

Protective Cover

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an embodiment in which the first cover isreplaced with a protective cover 40, such as a protective cover, thatencapsulates the mattress 28. The protective cover 40 is to size andshape of the mattress 28 to provide a relatively snug fit. An opening 42is provided along one edge of the protective cover 40 to enable themattress 28 to be placed inside the protective cover 40. A conventionalfastener, such as a zipper 44 may be used to close the opening 42. Inthis embodiment, one surface 46 of the cover 40 is provided with a slicksurface 46. The mattress 28 and cover 40 is configured so that the slicksurface 46 faces the box spring 30. The slick surface 46 of the cover 40cooperates with the cover 22 attached to the box spring 30 to facilitaterotation of the covered mattress 28 in a maneuvering mode. The cover 22is as described above with a slick surface and a non-slick surface. Moreparticularly, in a maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 22 isattached to the box spring 30 so that its non-slick surface is incontact with the box spring 30 and the slick surface faces upwardly inorder to contact the slick surface of the protective cover 40. In thismode, the mattress 28 can be rotated with reduced effort in a horizontalplane. Once the mattress 28 has been rotated to the desired position,the cover 22 is attached to the mattress 28 causing its non-slicksurface to be in contact with the box spring 30.

Coverless Embodiment

The embodiments discussed above are based on the use of one or morecovers which can be selectively configured in a maneuvering mode ofoperation or alternatively a normal mode of operation. In theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, there are no covers. In theseembodiments, slick surfaces 50 and 52 are integrally provided on themattress 28 and box spring 30, respectively. In particular, as bestshown in FIG. 13, the mattress 28 is formed with an integral slicksurface 50 on it is underside. Similarly, the box spring 30 can beformed with integral slick surface 52 facing upwardly. As such, when themattress 28 is properly placed on the box spring 30, the slick surfaces50 and 52 are in contact with each other. In such a configuration, themattress 28 can be freely rotated with respect to the box spring 30.

In order to prevent movement of the mattress 28 with respect to the boxspring 30 in a normal mode of operation, fastener systems, for example,Velcro fasteners may be provided on the corners of both the mattress 28and the box spring 30. In particular, permanent fastener strips 54 areprovided on the corners of the mattress 28, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and16. Similarly, permanent fastener strips 56 are provided on the cornersof the box spring 30. As shown in FIGS. 13, 4 and 16, when the mattress28 is correctly aligned with the box spring 30, the permanent fastenerstrips 54 are aligned with the permanent fastener strips 56. In order tosecure the mattress 28 relative to the box spring 30, removablecooperating fastener strips 58 are selectively attached to the permanentfastener strips 54 and 56 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 defining a normalmode of operation. The removable fastener strips 58 are simply removedin order to rotate the mattress 28 and replaced once the mattress 28 hasbeen rotated.

Two alternate embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 18-20. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, permanent fastener strips 60and 62 are located around the peripheries of the mattress 28 and the boxspring 30, adjacent to the edges where the mattress 28 and the boxspring 30 come together, as shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, acooperating removable fastener strip 64 is attached to the permanentfastener strips 60 and 62 on the mattress 28 and box spring 30,respectively. In yet another alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 20,the cooperating removable fastener strip 64 may be affixed to the insideof a bed skirt 66. With such a configuration, not only are the mattress28 and box spring 30 secured together, the configuration also allows abed skirt 66 to be easily installed.

Cover Materials

In addition to the above, all of the horizontal panels as well as theside panels can be made from both stretchable and non-stretchablematerials, such as cloth, and other materials that are bendable andamenable to being folded and stored in relatively small packages. Thematerial for one cover 20, 22 may have a slick surface on one side and anon-slick surface on an opposing side. The non-slick side surface can becreated on one side of a suck material by way of a coating or sewing orfusing a non-slick backing to one side of the non-slick material.Various conventionally available materials are suitable for the coverhaving a slick side and a non-slick side. For example, “20 Denier HeatSealable (backside) 100% Nylon Rip Stop” material is suitable for usewith the present invention or other materials with similar coefficientsof friction on the slick and non-slick sides. Such material may benylon, for example, 100% nylon with a coating on one side, for example,urethane or other thermal plastic or heat sealable coating Such nylonrip stop material is known to come in widths of 58-62 inches wide andweighs about 1.9 to 4.4 ounces per square yard. Such material can easilybe pieced together to accommodate various mattress widths if necessary.

Nylon rip stop material suitable for use with the--present invention isavailable from various sources, such as, Quest Outfitters of Sarasota,Fla. (http://questoutfitters.com). Their nylon taffeta material isdescribed in detail athttp://questoutfitters.com/coated.html#HEAT_SEALABLE, herebyincorporated by reference. Suitable nylon taffeta material is alsoavailable from Rockywoods in Loveland, Colo.(http://www.rockywoods.com). Their nylon taffeta material is describedin detail athttp://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/Medium-Weight-Nylon-Fabrics/Heat-Sealable-70-Denier-Nylon-Taffeta,hereby incorporated by reference.

Non-woven materials may also be used for the cover 20, 22 having a slickside and a non-slick side. For example, Tyvek® polyethylene non-wovenfabric, as manufactured by the DuPont Corporation and described indetail at http://www.2.dupont.com/Products_and_Services/en_VN/nwn.htmlmay be used. Other materials having two slick sides can also be used,such as, silicone impregnated nylon rip stop, for example, as availablefrom Seattle Fabrics. Inc., http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html.Other materials can also be used with a coating applied to one side.Moreover, different materials can be used for each cover in anapplication.

Any component, such as a horizontal panel or side panel, of a cover ofthe present technology may be made from one or more layers of material.In examples where a single layer of material is used for a horizontalpanel, the single layer may be made in any suitable manner. For example,the horizontal panel may be formed from a relatively slick material andmay be coated on one side with a non-slick coating material, to providea slick surface on one side and a non-slick surface on the other side.Alternately, the horizontal panel may be formed from a single layer of arelatively non-slick material and may be coated on an opposing side witha slick coating material, to provide a non-click surface on one side anda slick surface on the other side. Alternately, the horizontal panel maybe formed from a single layer of material and coated with a slickmaterial on one side and coated with a non-slick material on an opposingside.

Multiple Layers of Material

FIGS. 42-47 illustrate examples of covers of the present technologywhere the horizontal panel is made of multiple layers of material.

FIGS. 42 and 43 illustrate a portion of a horizontal panel 300, whichincludes a first layer of material 302 and a second layer of material304. It should be understood that at least two, or more than two layersof material may be used in any example having multiple layers ofmaterial.

The first layer of material 302 may have an outer side 306 and an innerside 308. The outer side 306 of the first layer of material 302 may beconfigured to contact the underside of the mattress or the upper side ofa foundation, depending upon the orientation in which the horizontalpanel 300 is installed. The first layer of material 302 may include aslick surface 314 on at least a portion of the outer side 306.

The second layer of material 304 may have an outer side 310 and an innerside 312. The outer side 310 of the second layer of material 304 may beconfigured to contact the upper side of the foundation or the undersideof a mattress, depending upon the orientation in which the horizontalpanel 300 is installed. The second layer of material 304 may include anon-slick surface 316 on at least a portion of the outer side 310.

The at least two layers of material of the horizontal panel 300 may beattached to each other at one or more attachment points 318. The one ormore attachment points may be along the peripheries of the layers ofmaterial, or within the peripheries of the layers of material. The oneor more attachment points may be formed by any suitable method,including without limitation stitching, bonding, heat sealing, sonicwelding, fasteners, and any other suitable method for joining two piecesof material.

FIGS. 44 and 45 illustrate a cover 400 of the present technology havinga horizontal panel 402 made of at least two layers of material, and anattachment device 404. The attachment device as shown includes one ormore side panels 416. The cover may be a single ply cover, in which thehorizontal panel 402 and the one or more side panels 416 are attached ina manner that they do not substantially overlap. The attachment device404 may be configured in accordance with any of the attachment devicesdescribed herein. Similarly, the one or more side panels 416 may beconfigured in accordance with any of the embodiments of side panelsdescribed herein.

The horizontal panel 402 has a first layer of material 406 and a secondlayer of material 408, and may have a structure similar or identical tohorizontal panel 300 of FIGS. 42-43. The first layer of material 406 hasan outer side 410, at least a portion of which may include a slicksurface 412. The second layer of material 408 has an outer side 414. Theside panels may be selectively secured to the mattress in a first modeof operation, and to the foundation in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 44 illustrates the cover 400 in a first mode of operation, which isa normal mode of operation in which the mattress rests on the foundationand the bed is used normally. In the first, normal mode of operation,the cover 400 is configured and located such that the horizontal panel402 is between the mattress and the foundation, with the outer side 410of the first layer of material 406 being in contact with an underside ofthe mattress. The outer side 414 of the second layer of material is incontact with the foundation. The one or more side panels 416 are incontact with the sides of the mattress and secure the cover to themattress.

FIG. 45 illustrates the cover 400 in a second mode of operation, whichis a maneuvering mode of operation in which the mattress may bemaneuvered, such as being rotated, with respect to the foundation. Inthe second, maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 400 is configuredand located such that the horizontal panel 402 remains between themattress and the foundation, with the outer side 410 of the first layerof material 406 being in contact with an underside of the mattress. Theouter side 414 of the second layer of material is in contact with thefoundation. The one or more side panels 416 are in contact with thesides of the foundation and secure the cover to the foundation.

In an alternate embodiment, the outer sides of the first and secondlayers may be reversed, such that a slick surface may be provided on theouter side 414 of the second layer of material 408. In such an example,the selective securing of the cover 400 may also be reversed, with theone or more side panels 416 being secured to the foundation in a normalmode of operation, as shown in FIG. 45, and the side panels beingsecured to the mattress in a maneuvering mode of operation, as shown inFIG. 44.

FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate a cover 500 of the present technology havinga horizontal panel 502 made of at least two layers of material, and anattachment device 504. The attachment device 504 as shown includes oneor more side panels 516. The attachment device 504 may be configured inaccordance with any of the attachment devices described herein.Similarly, the one or more side panels 516 may be configured inaccordance with any of the embodiments of side panels described herein.

The cover 500 may have multiple plies, such that a promotion of thehorizontal panel 502 and a portion of the one or more one or more sidepanels 516 overlap. The overlap has a width W, which may vary and mayextend around at least a portion of the circumference of the horizontalpanel 502. As shown, a portion of the one or more side panels 516extends and overlaps a portion of the horizontal panel 502. In suchexamples, the extended portion of the one or more side panels 516 wouldbe under the mattress between the mattress and the foundation. Inalternative examples, a portion of the horizontal panel 502 may extendto overlap one or more of the side panels 516. In such examples, theextended portion of the horizontal panel 502 would be in contact withthe side panels of the mattress.

The horizontal panel 502 has a first layer of material 506 and a secondlayer of material 508, and may have a structure similar or identical tohorizontal panel 300 of FIGS. 42-43. The first layer of material 506 hasan outer side 510, at least a portion of which may include a slicksurface 512. The second layer of material 508 has an outer side 514. Theside panels may be selectively secured to the mattress in a first modeof operation, and to the foundation in a second mode of operation.

FIG. 46 illustrates the cover 500 in a first mode of operation, which isa normal mode of operation in which the mattress rests on the foundationand the bed is used normally. In the first, normal mode of operation,the cover 500 is configured and located such that the horizontal panel502 is between the mattress and the foundation, with the outer side 510of the first layer of material 506 being in contact with an underside ofthe mattress. The outer side 514 of the second layer of material is incontact with the foundation. The one or more side panels 516 are incontact with the sides of the mattress and secure the cover to themattress.

FIG. 47 illustrates the cover 500 in a second mode of operation, whichis a maneuvering mode of operation in which the mattress may bemaneuvered, such as being rotated, with respect to the foundation. Inthe second, maneuvering mode of operation, the cover 500 is configuredand located such that the horizontal panel 502 remains between themattress and the foundation, with the outer side 510 of the first layerof material 506 being in contact with an underside of the mattress. Theouter side 514 of the second layer of material is in contact with thefoundation. The one or more side panels 516 are in contact with thesides of the foundation and secure the cover to the foundation.

In an alternate embodiment, the outer sides of the first and secondlayers may be reversed, such that a slick surface may be provided on theouter side 514 of the second layer of material 508. In such an example,the selective securing of the cover 500 may also be reversed, with theone or more side panels 416 being secured to the foundation in a normalmode of operation, as shown in FIG. 47, and the side panels 516 beingsecured to the mattress in a maneuvering mode of operation, as shown inFIG. 46.

It should be understood that the examples of covers 400 and 500illustrated in FIGS. 44-47 may also be used then the bed includes a bedskirt. In such examples, the cover 400 or 500 can be used to facilitatemaneuvering of the mattress supported by a foundation, where thefoundation is covered by a bed skirt. The horizontal panel 402, 502 maybe configured to be disposed between an underside of the mattress and atop side of the bed skirt covering the foundation so that the first sideof the horizontal panel is in contact with an underside of the mattress.In the first mode of operation, the attachment device secures thehorizontal panel relative to the underside of the mattress and in asecond mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontalpanel and the bed skirt to the foundation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. For example, materials forthe covers and slick surfaces other than those mentioned above can bewhich have similar co-efficient of friction characteristics. Thus, it isto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedabove.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specificexamples have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit orscope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoingdetailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting,and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including allequivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctlyclaim the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover that can be used to facilitate maneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation, the cover comprising: a horizontal panel formed from at least two layers of material, the horizontal panel having a first side and an opposing side, the first side including a slick surface, the horizontal panel being configured to be disposed between an underside of the mattress and a top side of the foundation; an attachment device for securing the horizontal panel relative to the mattress or alternatively to the foundation, wherein in a first mode of operation the attachment device secures the horizontal panel relative to one of the underside of the mattress or the top side of the foundation, and in a second mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontal panel to another of the underside of the mattress or the top side of the foundation to facilitate maneuvering of the mattress with respect to the foundation.
 2. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the opposing side has a non-slick surface.
 3. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the horizontal panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the first layer of material having an outer side that forms the first side of the horizontal panel.
 4. The cover as recited in claim 3, wherein the second layer of material has an outer side and an inner side, and a non-slick surface on at least a portion of the outer side.
 5. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment device is at least partially formed from an elastic material.
 6. The cover as recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment device includes at least one band.
 7. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the horizontal panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the second layer of material having an outer side that forms the opposing side of the horizontal panel, and wherein the second layer of material includes a non-slick surface on at least a portion of the outer side.
 8. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes one or more side panels, wherein at least a portion of the one or more side panels and at least a portion of the horizontal panel overlap.
 9. The cover as recited in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the one or more side panels extends and overlaps at least a portion of the horizontal panel.
 10. The cover as recited in claim 8, wherein a portion of the horizontal panel extends and overlaps a portion of the one or more side panels.
 11. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein is least a portion of the attachment device is made from an elastic band.
 12. The cover as recited in claim 11, wherein at least a portion of one or more sides of the one or more side panels are formed with non-slick surfaces.
 13. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment device is formed as a continuous piece of material.
 14. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment device is discontinuous.
 15. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the horizontal panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the first layer and second later being attached to each other at one or more attachment points.
 16. A cover that can be used to facilitate maneuvering of a mattress supported by a foundation, where the foundation is covered by a bed skirt, the cover comprising: a horizontal panel formed from at least two layers of material, the horizontal panel having a first side and an opposing side, the first side including a slick surface, the horizontal panel being configured to be disposed between an underside of the mattress and a top side of the bed skirt covering the foundation so that the first side of the horizontal panel is in contact with an underside of the mattress; an attachment device for securing the horizontal panel relative to the mattress or alternatively to the bed skirt and the foundation, wherein in a first mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontal panel relative to the underside of the mattress and in a second mode of operation, the attachment device secures the horizontal panel and the bed skirt to the foundation.
 17. The cover as recited in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the opposing side has a non-slick surface.
 18. The cover as recited in claim 16, wherein the horizontal panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the first layer of material having an outer side that forms the first side of the horizontal panel.
 19. The cover as recited in claim 18, wherein the second layer of material has an outer side and an inner side, and a non-slick surface on at least a portion of the outer side.
 20. The cover as recited in claim 16, wherein the attachment device includes one or more side panels, wherein a portion of the one or more side panels and a portion of the horizontal panel overlap. 